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In today’s culture, it’s become increasingly common—and even celebrated—for individuals to claim the name of Christ while openly living in rebellion against His Word. One of the most sobering and spiritually dangerous examples of this is the practice and affirmation of homosexuality.
The Bible clearly warns that those who continue in this sin—without repentance—face the judgment of God. Romans 1:24–28 describes homosexual behavior not only as sin but as the result of God “giving them over” to dishonorable passions after they rejected His truth. This is not merely personal rebellion—it is judicial abandonment.
The seriousness of this sin is heightened when it is defended or even celebrated in the name of Christ. Galatians 6:7 warns, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” And 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 names homosexual practice among the sins that bar people from inheriting the kingdom of God—unless repented of (v. 11).
If you are in a homosexual lifestyle today—especially if you claim to follow Christ—know that there is still hope, but only through repentance and faith in the real Jesus. The call is urgent: Turn from sin. Receive forgiveness. Walk in newness of life.
Yet Scripture is clear: claiming Christ while living in unrepentant sin is not evidence of saving faith. It’s a sign of self-deception and spiritual danger.
This issue becomes even more urgent when a professing Christian seeks a position of leadership or influence while actively embracing sin. Leadership carries greater responsibility—not only for the individual’s soul, but for those who are watching and following their example. When someone claims to represent Christ publicly while rejecting His commands, the consequences extend far beyond personal rebellion. It confuses the church, weakens the witness of the gospel, and leads others astray.
What Does the Bible Say About Unrepentant Sin?
God’s Word consistently links true faith with repentance. Repentance isn’t optional or extra—it’s essential. Jesus Himself warned, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3). Without repentance, there is no forgiveness, no fellowship, no salvation.
1 John 3:6 makes this sobering statement: “No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning.”
This doesn’t mean Christians never sin. It means they don’t continue practicing, affirming, or defending sin as compatible with following Christ. An unrepentant lifestyle reveals a heart that hasn’t submitted to God’s authority.
When a professing Christian defends sexual sin—whether homosexuality, transgender practices, or any other form of sexual immorality—they are not walking in the Spirit. They are walking in rebellion. And the longer they persist, the greater the danger that their conscience becomes hardened and their faith exposed as false.
The Bible Warns About This Pattern
A False Convert (Titus 1:16)
“They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works.” (Titus 1:16)
A false convert speaks the language of faith but lives in contradiction to it. Outward appearances may fool others, but God sees the heart. A lifestyle of sexual sin—defended and unrepented—denies the very Christ they claim.
An Apostate (1 Timothy 4:1)
“The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)
An apostate doesn’t drift quietly. They turn away from sound doctrine, embracing false teaching while still wearing the label of faith. Today, many who once upheld biblical sexuality have embraced cultural lies about identity, gender, and marriage. This departure is not a “new understanding”—it is apostasy.
A Hypocrite (Matthew 15:8)
“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8)
A hypocrite keeps religious appearances but lives in contradiction to God’s commands. Professing Christ while promoting sexual immorality is not love or inclusion—it’s hypocrisy. Jesus didn’t lower the standard of holiness to be popular. He calls us to obedience.
Having a Seared Conscience (1 Timothy 4:2)
“…their conscience is seared with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:2)
When sin is justified long enough, the conscience grows numb. What once pricked the heart no longer stings. Defending sin as righteousness is a sign of a hardened, seared conscience. Publicly celebrating sexual sin while claiming Christ isn’t boldness—it’s blindness.
Living in Unrepentance (1 John 3:6; Galatians 5:21)
“No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning.” (1 John 3:6)
“…those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21)
Ongoing, unrepentant sin is incompatible with abiding in Christ. The gospel calls sinners to forgiveness and transformation. Continuing in sexual sin without repentance is evidence of a heart still enslaved—not redeemed.
Sexual Sins the Bible Warns Against
God designed sexuality as a beautiful gift within marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4–6). Every distortion of this design is condemned by Scripture—not to rob us of joy, but to protect us from harm.
The Bible clearly identifies these practices as sinful:
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Homosexuality (Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10)
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Lesbianism (Romans 1:26)
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Transgender practices (rejecting God’s created sex) (Deuteronomy 22:5)
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Adultery and Fornication (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3)
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Pornography and Lust (Matthew 5:28; Ephesians 5:3)
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Incest, Bestiality, Pedophilia (Leviticus 18:6, 22–23)
These aren’t outdated cultural norms—they are the timeless commands of a holy God.
No one practicing these sins while defending them has biblical grounds to claim Christ’s name over their lifestyle.
The Consequences of Seeking Leadership While Living in Sin
When a professing Christian seeks leadership—whether in church, public office, or influence—while openly living in unrepentant sin, the stakes are even higher. God holds leaders to a stricter standard (James 3:1). Their public witness shapes others’ understanding of Christ.
A leader who claims faith while rejecting holiness:
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Misleads those under their influence
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Weakens the moral witness of the church
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Invites God’s judgment on themselves and those they deceive
Jesus warned, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck” (Matthew 18:6). Leadership without repentance has kingdom consequences—for their soul and for those watching.
The Danger of Affirming Sin
Isaiah’s words ring true today:
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” (Isaiah 5:20)
Affirming what God condemns doesn’t bring freedom—it brings judgment. When the church tolerates or celebrates sexual sin under the guise of “love,” it no longer stands as salt and light. Instead, it participates in the darkness it was meant to expose.
Paul warned the Corinthian church to remove open sin from their fellowship—not to be harsh, but to protect the purity of the church and call the sinner to repentance (1 Corinthians 5:1–13).
A Call to Repentance
There is hope—for every sinner willing to turn.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Christ calls every one of us to repentance, faith, and transformation. Grace doesn’t affirm sin—it rescues us from it.
Jesus still saves. But He never saves without calling sinners to turn and follow Him.
For anyone claiming Christ while living in unrepentant sexual sin, the call is clear:
Repent. Turn to Jesus. Be forgiven. Be made new.
For the church, let us not shrink back from proclaiming truth. Let us love enough to warn. Let us remain faithful to God’s Word, even when the world rejects it.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Conclusion
At Virginia Christian Alliance, we stand for biblical sexuality—not out of hate, but out of love for God and neighbor. We pray for all who are deceived by sin to come to repentance and find the forgiveness, freedom, and hope that only Christ can provide.
We will not compromise. We will not affirm what God calls sin. We will speak truth—because truth saves.
